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on MENA - Middle East and North Africa |
| By: | Sebaq, Mohamed |
| Keywords: | Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, Agribusiness |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea24:343680 |
| By: | Salah, Amel |
| Abstract: | This paper aims to explore the relationship between corporate social responsibility and tax avoidance among publicly listed banks, based on their annual reports and websites within a developing market, specifically Tunisia. The necessary data were collected from the annual reports of a sample of nine Tunisian banks listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange (BVMT) for the period from 2012 to 2018. According to the estimated results, it can be concluded that the less involved banks are in economic and environmental activities, the more likely they are to engage in fraudulent tax-related behaviors. The findings indicate that a bank’s tax avoidance is influenced by the nature of its social responsibility activities. In particular, banks that participate in social initiatives are less prone to evade taxes. |
| Keywords: | corporate social responsibility, tax avoidance, BVMT. |
| JEL: | G3 H26 |
| Date: | 2025–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:127478 |
| By: | Mehrotra, Santosh (University of Bath); Hassan, Shady |
| Abstract: | This paper examines how IMF policies contribute to the inequality in MENA, and to a Middle-Income Trap (MIT). Developing a theory expanding Acemoglu and Robinson’s “Narrow Corridor” framework, it shows how IMF conditions align domestic elite incentives with creditor interests through a principal-agent lens. Using 2020-2025 data, its analysis reveals IMF monetary policies create rent-seeking structures that institutionalize inequality and suppress growth. The paper identifies an “engineered r>g dynamic” as a quantifiable signature of this extraction, empirically verified in Egypt. It establishes a causal link between financial/monetary policy (interest rates, debt compounding) and the “Despotic Leviathan” state formation. |
| Keywords: | political economy, domestic debt, inequality, IMF conditionality, state capture, Middle-Income Trap, Egypt |
| JEL: | O11 O43 P16 F33 |
| Date: | 2025–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18350 |
| By: | Otgun, Hanifi; Fulginiti, Lilyan; Perrin, Richard |
| Abstract: | This paper provides regional level estimates of total factor productivity (TFP) growth and its components in Turkish agriculture. Using a translog stochastic frontier model with monotonicity constraints, we decompose TFP growth into technical change and efficiency change across 26 NUTS-2 regions over 2013–2020. We also examine the relationship between technical efficiency and trade openness by integrating regional agricultural trade openness into the model as an (in)efficiency driver. These contributions address gaps in the existing literature by revealing regional TFP disparities in Türkiye and investigating the previously understudied link between technical efficiency and trade openness. Additionally, we explicitly control for climatic effects, including average temperature and precipitation in the frontier, to isolate weather-driven fluctuations from inefficiency. Our results highlight pronounced regional disparities, with export-oriented regions exhibiting higher efficiency. Moreover, trade openness is significantly and positively associated with technical efficiency, suggesting that greater integration with external markets may foster TFP growth in the Turkish agricultural sector. Climate variables show nuanced impacts, with moderate temperature and rainfall positively affecting agricultural output, while extreme conditions negatively impact yields. TFP growth is predominantly driven by technical change, while efficiency change slightly detracts from overall productivity gains. |
| Keywords: | International Relations/Trade |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea25:361177 |
| By: | Omidi, Ali |
| Abstract: | One of the significant geopolitical developments in the South Caucasus following the collapse of the Soviet Union was the conflict between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Karabakh issue, which resulted in two wars. The first Karabakh war, lasting from 1988 to 1994, ended with Azerbaijan's defeat. The second war, from September 27, 2020, to November 10, 2020, concluded with a ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia, with the cooperation of the Red Cross and other international organizations. Article 9 of the November 10, 2020, agreement stipulated the unblocking of all economic and transport communication axes of interest to the parties in the region. Armenia was obligated to ensure the unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles, and goods in both directions and to guarantee the security of transport communications between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The Russian Border Guard Service would oversee control of these transport communications. Iran is concerned that the creation of a corridor through Armenia's 40-kilometer Syunik (or Zangezur) border with Iran could eliminate the shared border between the two countries, potentially diminishing Iran's geopolitical importance regarding transport corridors and bring about new security concerns for Tehran. This article analyzes Iran's perceived geopolitical concerns regarding the implementation of Article 9 of the above-mentioned peace agreement. |
| Keywords: | Karabakh Crisis, Zangezur Corridor, Armenia-Azerbaijan Ceasefire Agreement of November 10, 2020, Iran |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:opodis:333909 |
| By: | International Monetary Fund |
| Abstract: | Jordan’s economy continues to show resilience despite persistent headwinds from regional conflicts and global economic uncertainty. Thanks to the authorities’ pursuit of sound economic policies and reforms, aided by strong international support, Jordan’s economic activity continues to recover, inflation remains low, and reserve buffers are strong. Nonetheless, structural challenges, including in the labor market and public utility companies, persist, and the public debt burden remains elevated. |
| Date: | 2025–12–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfscr:2025/338 |
| By: | Modirzadeh, Seyed Alireza; Abolghasemzadeh, Hossein; Nasseri, Mohsen |
| Abstract: | Companies often prioritize maximizing profits without considering environmental costs, leading to significant ecological damage. This is the rationale behind carbon pricing policies, like carbon taxes or emissions trading schemes, which hold emitters accountable for greenhouse gas emissions by internalizing the costs of climate change. In energy-rich countries like Iran, where energy production is inexpensive, firms are similarly disinclined to improve energy efficiency. This neglect of long-term resource scarcity, social costs, and environmental impacts has contributed to Iran’s energy imbalance, with the government relying on short-term solutions like electricity and natural gas rationing. Despite the substantial potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy development, the availability of cheap fossil fuels continues to hinder progress. Both corporate neglect of environmental harm and Iran's energy inefficiency stem from the same root problem: external costs are not internalised in decision-making. Readily available resources and environmental services are undervalued, while long-term threats like climate change and resource depletion are overlooked. In this context, Iran's energy sector can learn from the global expansion of Emissions Trading Schemes, which limit greenhouse gas emissions through cap-and-trade mechanisms. These schemes encourage firms to either reduce emissions or face penalties, aligning business interests with environmental goals. This paper reviews Iran’s energy sector and examines both market and non-market approaches to reform. We conceptualize designs for revolving funds, energy efficiency and environment market, feed-in tariffs, direct government investment, and the implementation of cap-and-trade mechanism to regulate energy intensity and promote renewable energy. These strategies provide a roadmap for addressing Iran's energy challenges and advancing toward a more sustainable future. |
| Keywords: | cap and trade; Emission Trading Schemes; energy efficiency; greenhouse gas mitigation; Iranian energy market |
| JEL: | R14 J01 |
| Date: | 2025–04–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:126603 |
| By: | Aldulaimi, Raed; Aglan, Dahab; Azeez, Hasan; Salih, Firas |
| Abstract: | Climate change poses substantial challenges for climate-displaced women in developing countries, where limited education and social norms can hinder access to labour markets, social integration and political engagement. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a training programme on displaced women’s willingness to engage with and participate in the labour market, social networks and political activities within local communities. Using rich pre-and post-training survey data from 36 women displaced by climate shocks from southwestern Mosul, our findings show that women’s willingness to work or start a business increases significantly after the training, as does their willingness to engage with elected officials to address displacement-related challenges. However, we do not find evidence of improved willingness to integrate with host communities, reflecting women’s perceptions of limited support in their host communities and highlighting the challenges of climate displacement. Our findings highlight the need for local and national governments to expand educational and vocational programmes for climate-displaced women while also investing in host communities to reduce social tensions and promote inclusive recovery. |
| JEL: | R14 J01 |
| Date: | 2025–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:130699 |
| By: | Alhumaidhi, Taiba; AlReshaid, Faisal; Alzayed, Kenda |
| Abstract: | This study aims to validate a questionnaire designed to measure financial literacy among youth in Kuwait. The instrument was developed using items sourced from various existing tools and tailored to the Kuwaiti context, with a focus on youth aged 18–25 years. The questionnaire was initially divided into seven domains, covering different aspects of financial literacy, including budgeting, savings, investments, debt management, financial planning, risk awareness and digital financial tools. A sample of 1064 participants completed the questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (PCA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed to evaluate the structure, reliability and validity of the instrument. The results of the CFA confirmed that financial literacy can be grouped into four distinct domains: Consuming Behaviour (CB), Information Literacy (IL), Financial Practices (FP) and Investment Behaviour (IB). These four domains emerged as the most reliable and validated constructs for measuring financial literacy among youth in Kuwait. The study successfully developed and validated a comprehensive tool for assessing financial literacy among Kuwaiti youth. The confirmed domains provide a robust framework for future research and policy development aimed at enhancing financial literacy education and interventions in Kuwait. |
| Keywords: | factor analysis; financial behaviour; financial literacy; Kuwaiti youth; questionnaire validation |
| JEL: | F3 G3 |
| Date: | 2025–12–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:130786 |